I'm stuck on what to write in my next chapter for Rewritten, so I just wrote this. Here you go.
JustAnotherFanGirl2004: Rose belonging is a big part of this story. While a big part of it is about her healing from her past and the abuse she suffered, this story is also about family and friendship. About her feeling like a part of something. As for someone sticking up to Timothy, your wish is my command! Let me know what you thought of the people I chose!
Green Meadow1875: Keep an eye out for Vivian and Ella - if I go with my current idea they will be a bigger part of this story than you thought. And I really like your idea. It will take some build-up (and research on my part) but it'll eventually happen. I think those trains are a nice thing someone did, but Rose losing someone to them won't only build up her fear, it'll also make her trust in people falter. So that'll add more to this story.
Disclaimer: How long has it been since I've done one of these? I always forget, so probably a long time. Anyways, I don't own The Greatest Showman or the song Walk Me Home.
Also, I suggest listening to the song Walk Me Home when it appears.
Chapter Twelve
One morning, Rose woke up to find that Anne and Lettie were gone. She didn't think too much of it, since the two often left early and let her sleep in, something she had always been grateful for.
She was surprised to find that a dress was draped across a chair in front of her bed. It was one she had never seen before either. The dress was light blue (ever since her first performance, she had enjoyed wearing light colors) with a slightly full skirt that reached her knees. It had small silver flowers and white lace along the bottom. There was a cross pattern along the torso, and the same silver flowers about the collar.
Rose frowned. Anne or Lettie clearly intended for her to wear this, but she didn't understand why. She always just wore a black leotard to practice, since her performance outfit was a bit too fancy.
Still, she changed into the dress, a pair of tights, and her usual boots before walking up to the mirror. For some reason, she didn't feel like doing her usual hair style for practice - a single braid - and instead let her hair fall free.
The young girl walked out and to the circus. The people that lived nearby had already gotten used to her, so she didn't get many odd looks. Still, as she arrived at the circus, a few people gave her looks of disdain, which she ignored.
Rose walked inside and froze when she saw the circus. There were balloons floating around and streamers hanging from the ceiling. A long table was in the corner, and held food - including a cake.
"What's happening?" Rose asked, as everyone was inside.
"Happy birthday!" they all cheered.
"I...it's my birthday?" Rose asked.
"Well, sort of. We decided to celebrate your birthday as the day you came here, since not even W.D. remembers when you were born," Lettie said, and Caroline and Helen ran forward.
"Come on!" Caroline said eagerly, grabbing her friend's hand. "Let's go!"
The big circus family spent an hour or two celebrating, hanging out, and talking. Finally, Rose walked up to Anne and asked, "Hey, Anne, can Caroline, Helen, and I go out for a bit? Just a walk."
Anne bit her lip. They hadn't really wanted to let Rose out with just her friends since the incident a year ago, but she was twelve now. Maybe it was time.
"Okay, but be careful."
"I will, I promise. Bye!"
The three girls raced out and Anne frowned. She had a feeling this wouldn't go as planned.
The girls were talking happily when they suddenly heard a voice.
"You're finally out here again."
Rose turned to face Timothy and clenched her teeth. This was different than last time. She wasn't just a guarded girl. She had let down her guard (well, a bit and mostly to Anne, Phillip, Lettie, Caroline, and Helen) and she knew she would have a place and a family to go to once this was all over.
"Yeah, you can't exactly keep me off the streets for a while."
"And yet, this is the first time in a year you've been out here without an adult. Or is cold, tough Rose suddenly a softie?"
"In your dreams."
"Well, I guess it's a good thing you're out here. Better get used to your home again, you'll be out here again soon enough."
"What makes you say that?"
"You're an orphan. No one wants you."
Rose felt a glimmer of doubt. He was partially right - she was an orphan. But she had people who wanted her, who cared about her.
Yet, before she could talk, Caroline spoke up angrily.
"She does have people who want her!"
"Like who?" Timothy sneered.
"Me, for one! And Helen! Rose is practically our sister!"
Rose froze. Did she say...
"Doubtful. Rose is too weak and pathetic for anyone to love or care about her."
"We love her!" Helen shouted. "She's our family, and always will be. So stop acting like she's all alone!"
"Because Rose isn't anymore, and she's so much more than what you think! She's strong and smart, and her skin color or eyes don't matter at all! If anything, they make her more special! And most importantly, she's loved! So go back to your sad, pathetic life and stop picking on people who had more goodness and love in their pinky finger than you have in your entire body!"
The two of them led a shocked Rose away, and Timothy stood behind with a blank stare.
"Rose?" Helen asked gently. "Are you okay?"
Rose looked up at her friends- no, her sisters and smiled.
"Yeah. I am, sis."
Both girls broke into huge smiles and hugged Rose tightly.
"Happy birthday, Rose," Caroline whispered.
When the three of them returned to the circus, a few people looked up. Anne was surprised to see Rose had a huge, slightly goofy, grin on her face and her hands were intertwined with Caroline and Helen's.
"Rose? What happened?" she asked.
"Let's just say, I have two sisters," Rose said, and Anne smiled too.
"It's about time," Lettie said, appearing by her side. "You guys have been so close ever since Rose arrived, it was only a matter of time before you all accepted the title."
Rose nodded, and they all returned to the party. At least, they did for a while. After maybe ten minutes, Rose walked up to Anne and Phillip and asked, "Anne? Phillip? Can you come with me for a while?"
The couple exchanged confused and slightly nervous looks before nodding. They started to follow Rose, and Phillip whispered, "We'll ask her after this, okay?" to which Anne nodded.
Rose led them into her dressing room and took out a guitar. Phin had been teaching her how to play, but hadn't known why. The birthday girl couldn't stop the nerves that piled up inside her. What she was about to do...it was something she hadn't thought she would ever have the courage to do. But she trusted Anne and Phillip, more than she had ever thought she could trust two people - especially a white person.
"I've been planning this for a while, and I really hope your guys like it," she whispered, before starting to strum...and sing.
"There's something in the way you smile at me
Takes me back to a better time
When I saw everything is good
But now you're the only thing that's good"
Anne gasped a bit when she heard Rose sing. Her voice was beautiful, and she didn't understand why she hadn't heard it before. But something about this moment felt so special, so she just smiled at an equally shocked Phillip.
Tryna stand up on my own two feet
This conversation ain't comin' easily
And darling, I know it's getting late
So what do you say we leave this place?
Walk me home in the dead of night
I can't be alone with all that's on my mind, mhm
So say you'll stay with me tonight
'Cause there is so much wrong going on outside
There's something in the way I wanna cry
That makes me think we'll make it out alive
So come on and show me how we're good
I think that we could do some good, mhm
Walk me home in the dead of night
I can't be alone with all that's on my mind, mhm
So say you'll stay with me tonight
'Cause there is so much wrong going on outside
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Walk me home in the dead of night
'Cause I can't be alone with all that's on my mind
Say you'll stay with me tonight
'Cause there is so much wrong going on
Walk me home in the dead of night
I can't be alone with all that's on my mind
So say you'll stay with me tonight
'Cause there is so much wrong
There is so much wrong
There is so much wrong going on outside"
Rose finished the song and looked nervously at Phillip and Anne. She knew they would never hit her for singing, but she still instinctively prepared herself for the pain.
"Rose...that was beautiful," Anne said finally.
"Did you write it yourself?" Phillip asked, and Rose nodded, smiling a bit as she laughed with relief.
"I haven't sang to anyone in...years," she said, shaking her head in disbelief and giddy joy. "And yet I'm always writing songs."
"Well, we're honored that we were the first people you sang to," Phillip said, kneeling down to be Rose's height. He looked up at Anne and said, "In fact, I think this'll make it a bit easier for us to ask you this question."
"Rose, have you wondered why we didn't get you a birthday present?" Anne asked.
"I don't need presents," Rose said immediately. "Really, I'm fine."
"But you deserve presents. And it was because we were saving our present for later, when it was just the three of us," Phillip took a deep breath and nodded to Anne, who asked the question.
"Rose...how would you feel about us adopting you?"
Cliffhanger! Let me know what you thought of this chapter, especially the ending! It was so fun to write, and I hope you all like the family Rose had created for herself.
-Creator of Magic